Call it an October surprise

FACTBOX

One month ago, the thought of this story ever reaching print
would have been ridiculous.

But here it is, barely more than a week from the start of
the NBA season, and the Trail Blazers are strongly
considering making Nicolas Batum their starting small
forward on opening night.

If you just said, "Nicolas who?" don't feel
out of the loop. Your neighbor probably said the same thing.

It has been the most surprising development of the
Blazers' preseason, this gangly 19-year-old player from
France emerging as a potential starter because of his strong
defense, team-oriented offense and the opening caused by
Martell Webster's broken left foot.

"It's true," Batum says he tells himself.
"I'm 19, I'm from France, and I could start
against the Lakers. Sometime I ask, 'Is it true, or a
dream?' And it's true. It's incredible."

Tonight in Sacramento, Batum will get his first exhibition
start, which figures to be the best indicator whether this
experiment has any validity or if coach Nate McMillan will
have to go back to the drawing board and disrupt what could
be a special second unit. Because in reality, starting Batum
has more to do with trying to keep intact a second unit,
which includes Rudy Fernandez and Travis Outlaw, than it
does with identifying the five best players.

"(Tonight) is important," McMillan said. "And it's important not only for Nicolas, but for the rest of the guys. Because if it looks good, then we can set the rotation. Because right now, I like Rudy coming off the bench. I like having Travis on that second unit. We can attack with that group and we can spread the floor. But if we take Rudy off of that lineup (to start) or take Travis out, it really takes away from what that lineup has to offer."...

Call it an October surprise

FACTBOX

One month ago, the thought of this story ever reaching print
would have been ridiculous.

But here it is, barely more than a week from the start of
the NBA season, and the Trail Blazers are strongly
considering making Nicolas Batum their starting small
forward on opening night.

If you just said, "Nicolas who?" don't feel
out of the loop. Your neighbor probably said the same thing.

It has been the most surprising development of the
Blazers' preseason, this gangly 19-year-old player from
France emerging as a potential starter because of his strong
defense, team-oriented offense and the opening caused by
Martell Webster's broken left foot.

"It's true," Batum says he tells himself.
"I'm 19, I'm from France, and I could start
against the Lakers. Sometime I ask, 'Is it true, or a
dream?' And it's true. It's incredible."

Tonight in Sacramento, Batum will get his first exhibition
start, which figures to be the best indicator whether this
experiment has any validity or if coach Nate McMillan will
have to go back to the drawing board and disrupt what could
be a special second unit. Because in reality, starting Batum
has more to do with trying to keep intact a second unit,
which includes Rudy Fernandez and Travis Outlaw, than it
does with identifying the five best players.

"(Tonight) is important," McMillan said. "And it's important not only for Nicolas, but for the rest of the guys. Because if it looks good, then we can set the rotation. Because right now, I like Rudy coming off the bench. I like having Travis on that second unit. We can attack with that group and we can spread the floor. But if we take Rudy off of that lineup (to start) or take Travis out, it really takes away from what that lineup has to offer."...